Is Saints' Michael Thomas next superstar?

NEW ORLEANS - New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas had an outstanding rookie season by almost any measure last season.

He led the Saints in receptions with 92 and touchdowns with nine. He was second in receiving yards with 1,137.

Thomas figures to be even better in his second full season in the league. But a couple of things have happened this offseason that could benefit even more.

The Saints traded wide receiver Brandin Cooks, who led the team in receiving yards (1,173) to the New England Patriots, making it even clearer who Drew Brees’ No. 1 receiver will be.

Then this offseason, Thomas has already added 10 pounds to his 6-foot-3 frame. He weighs in at 220 pounds and becomes the prototypical big receiver as seen in Atlanta’s Julio Jones and Dallas’ Dez Bryant.

There is no guarantee that Thomas follows Jones and Bryant into greatness.

But it certainly is his plan.

He told reporters, “I want to be one of the best to ever play the game, so I put a lot of pressure on myself just because coming from a family that played in the NFL (uncle is Keyshawn Johnson) and then being the guy now, I want to take advantage of my opportunity.’’